Integration of ballistic resistant materials into a wheel

Abstract

In this invention ballistic resistant materials are integrated into a wheel for protection of the Tire Bead Bundle, protection of hardware, and protection of hub components. The Tire Bead Bundle can be protected by supplementing the existing rim flange with ballistic resistant material and/or by placing such material between the flange and the bead bundle. Further, for protection of hardware (including Manual Inflation or CTI Valves), ballistic resistant material can be incorporated over or on wheel hardware. Finally, ballistic resistant materials can be incorporated over or on the wheel hub diameter to reduce the risk of damage due to ballistic attacks.

1 . A wheel with ballistic resistant material, comprising:
 a circular wheel rim having formed coaxially on opposite ends thereof outwardly flaring circumferential flange sections disposed to be engaged by the beads of a tubeless tire mounted on the rim;   wherein said wheel rim has intermediate said opposite ends thereof a transverse wall section extending transversely of the axis of said rim, and having therethrough a central opening disposed coaxially of said axis;   wherein said wheel has outer and inner sides; and   wherein ballistic resistant material at least one of forms a portion of said wheel, and covers a portion of said wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The wheel described in  claim 1 , wherein said ballistic resistant material covers a portion of said wheel, and is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the flange of the wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The wheel described in  claim 2 , wherein said ballistic resistant material is disposed at least one of adjacent an outer side of said flange portion and adjacent an inner side of said flange portion. 
     
     
         4 . The wheel described in  claim 2 , wherein said ballistic resistant material is located so as to protect at least a portion of the beads of said tubeless tire. 
     
     
         5 . The wheel described in  claim 2 , wherein said ballistic resistant material forms a continuous ring adjacent the flange. 
     
     
         6 . The wheel described in  claim 2 , wherein said flange has extensions at least partially surrounding said ballistic resistant material. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel described in  claim 5 , wherein said continuous ring is split into parts with protrusions for linking said parts. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel described in  claim 3 , wherein said ballistic resistant material is adjacent an inner side of said flange portion intermediate said flange and the tire bead. 
     
     
         9 . The wheel described in  claim 8 , wherein said ballistic resistant material is a ballistic resistant fabric located intermediate said tire bead and at least one of said rim and said flange. 
     
     
         10 . The wheel described in  claim 9 , where said ballistic resistant material includes a sealing material for maintaining an air-tight seal between the tire bead and at least one of said rim and said flange. 
     
     
         11 . The wheel described in  claim 1 , wherein said ballistic resistant material forms a cover over a tire inflation valve located on said wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The wheel described in  claim 1 , wherein said ballistic resistant material forms a portion of said wheel, said portion including at least the flange of said wheel. 
     
     
         13 . The wheel described in  claim 2 , wherein said ballistic resistant material forms a substantially continuous disc mounted to and within said flange. 
     
     
         14 . A wheel with ballistic resistant material, comprising:
 a circular wheel rim having formed coaxially on opposite ends thereof outwardly flaring circumferential flange sections disposed to be engaged by the beads of a tubeless tire mounted on the rim;   wherein said wheel rim has intermediate said opposite ends thereof a transverse wall section extending transversely of the axis of said rim, and having therethrough a central opening disposed coaxially of said axis;   wherein said wheel has outer and inner sides; and   wherein ballistic resistant material is connected to said wheel, covers a portion of said wheel, and is disposed adjacent the flange of the wheel so as to protect the beads of said tubeless tire.   
     
     
         15 . The wheel described in  claim 14 , wherein said ballistic resistant material forms a continuous ring adjacent the flange. 
     
     
         16 . The wheel described in  claim 15 , wherein said flange has extensions at least partially surrounding said ballistic resistant material. 
     
     
         17 . The wheel described in  claim 14 , wherein said ballistic resistant material forms a substantially continuous disc within said flange and transverse the axis of said rim. 
     
     
         18 . The wheel described in  claim 17 , wherein said flange has extensions at least partially surrounding said ballistic resistant material.